Programmed learning device

ABSTRACT

In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is a programmed learning device wherein one or more students, small groups working together, are taught by the non-linear method of programmed learning. Specifically, after the text material is reviewed by the group, a question relative thereto is presented. Feedback relative to wrong answers will then be first displayed prior to the giving of feedback relative to the correct answer. No unchosen wrong answer feedback, however, is displayed.

United States Patent [191 Holmes PROGRAMMED LEARNING DEVICE [76]lnventor: James D. J. Holmes, Dogwood Lane,

Laurinbur'g, NC. 28352 [22] Filed: July 24, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 58,096

52 us. Cl. ..3s/9 A [51] Int. Cl. ..G09b 7/08 [58] Field of Search..35/9 R, 9 A, 48 R [56] 1 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3,300,876 1/1967 Johannsen .,.35/48 R 3,332,157 7/1967 Kirkconnellet a1....35/48 R 3,407,513 10/1968 Conn ..35/9 A n92 KELAYS E REAVEZ r [451Apr. 17, 1973 3,416,242 12/1968 Nisbet ..35/48 R Primary Examiner-Wm. H.Grieb Attorney-John G. Mills, 111

t [57] ABSTRACT In abstract, a preferred embodiment'of this invention 7is a programmed learning device wherein one or more students, smallgroups working' together, are taught by the non-linear method ofprogrammed learning;

Specifically, after the text material is reviewed by the group, aquestion relative thereto is presented. Feed 'back relative to wronganswers will then be first displayed prior to the giving of feedbackrelative to the correct answer. No unchosen wrong answer feedback,however, is displayed. 1

10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PROJECTOR SCREE-ll PATENTEMPRH 3,727,326

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A HS D. HULMI'IS PROGRAMMED LEARNING DEVICE This invention relates toteaching means and more particularly to programmed learning devicesemploying the non-linear method of programmed learning.

In the past, various mechanical methods of instructing and teaching havebeen used including projecting images on a screen for group instructionand questions with answers being either written down or tabulated fromswitch boxes at each students position. Also instructional and testingsystems have been developed, including a central console with aplurality of student stations, earphones for private student listening,and controls for recording of answers to questions presented.

In recent years, extremely complex programmed electronic systems havebeen developed to aid in teaching and testing. All of these prior artdevices, however, have resulted in general student boredom and infeelings of impersonal, machine controlled com plexes.

The present invention has been developed after much research and studyinto the above mentioned problems and is designed to allow a group ofstudents or persons to be instructed and tested together, as a group,rather than individually with group participation in both the wronganswers given and the logic behind the correct answer or answers.

Non-linear programmed learning is commonly found in the form ofscrambled textbook where the student is presented with text materialfollowed by a multiple choice questiondesigned to test his comprehensionof just-read material. Based upon the choice of answers, the student isdirected to a different location in the book where he will receivefeedback relative to the accuracy of his answer. The non-linear methodis a proven method of teaching. It has the disadvantage, however, ofcreating boredom due to muchflipping of pages back and forth andloneliness due to lack of any personal interaction on the part of thestudent with others. The programmed learning system of the presentinvention, with a multiplicity of students working together, is anumerically controlled teaching device designed to employ, and thusretain the advantages of the non-linear method of programmed learningwhile negating the normal disadvantages of such method.

The learning system of the present invention has also been developed tohelp fill the rather large void between relatively inexpensiveconventional textbooks and very expensive computer assisted instructionmeans. Building upon the Socratic principle of one teacher, I one Ipupil, the present invention adds mechanization for the sake ofefficiency but, more importantly, it introduces group discussion intoprogrammed learning. Thus the combination of the Socratic concept,mechanization, and group discussion are combined to .form the presentimproved programmed learning systems.

It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide aprogrammed learning device that allows .student discussion of thematerial being presented.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a programmedlearning system specifically designed to allow interaction betweenstudents.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a learning devicewhich introduces group discussion into programmed type learning.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofnon-linear programmed learning that substantially eliminates boredomcaused by impersonal operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a programmedlearning device which presents textmaterial, a question, multiple choiceanswers to the question, explanations as to why selected wrong answersare wrong, and finally presents the correct answer with logic relativethereto.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a programmedlearning device, including at least one remote student station, eachoperatively connected to a tape reader and a projector whereby bothnon-linear programmed learning and user interaction can be accomplished.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a tapecontrolled, relay operated programmed learning device with manualoperation of selected modes and automatic operation of other modes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a programmedlearning system wherein feedback relative to any and all wrong answersselected are fed back prior to projection of feedback relative to thecorrect answer.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent and obvious from a study of the following description and theaccompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention. I

In the drawings FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the stations and equipmentforming the preferred embodiment of the programmed learning device ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an electrical circuit, in schematic form, of such device.

With further reference to the drawings, a plurality of student responsedevices or consoles l1, l2 and 13 are provided. Each of the consolescontains a plurality of switches such as those labeled A1, B1, C1, Dl onconsole 11; A2, B2, C2 and D2 on a console 12; and A3, B3, C3 and D3 onconsole 13. In addition, console 11 also contains a manual switchlabeled M. The students operating the consoles are labeled in FIG. 1 asS1, S2

, and S3.

Coaxial or multistrand electrical cables indicated at 14, 15, 16 and 17are used to connect, respectively, the relay-reader 18 to console 11,console 11 to console 12, console 12 to console 13, and console 13 torelay portion 18' of the relay-reader. A multistrand electrical cable 19also connects the relay portion 18 to projector 20. This projector is,of course, set up in such a way that images therefrom will project ontoscreen 21 which is disposed in view of the students, S1, S2 and S3.

Electrical power plugs 22, 23 and 24 are operatively connected,respectively, to relay section 18' and reader section 18" of chassis l8and to projector 20. Each of the power plugs is, of course, adapted tooperatively connect to a conventional exterior electrical power source(not shown).

Although any number of readers for program control can be used, a simplepunched tape type device (not shown) in combination with electricallyconductive sensing pins (not shown) has been found to operate verysatisfactorily. The tape reader, as well as conventional time delay andinstant operating relays, are all operatively mounted on chassis 18 foroperation as will hereinafter be described in more detail.

Now specifically referring to the wiring diagram shown schematically inFIG. 2, since direct current is often used to operate theelectromagnetic core of a relay, an AC-DC converter of standardconstruction is shown at 25 to enable the system to operate from astandard 110 volt, 60 cycle AC power source. On the DC side of theconverter is a ground 26 and a current line 27. Connected to line 27 area plurality of leads 28, 29,30, 31 and 33 going into the reader 18" andconnected, respectively to the controlled channel switches labeled Ch-l,Ch-2, Ch-3, Ch-4 and Ch-S therein.

From the channel switches, leads 28 through 31 continue and areconnected, respectively, to answer selection switches A1, B1, C1 and D1incorporated in student console ll. These switches are normally closedfor continuous closed circuit along their respective leads.

From console 11, leads 28 through 31 continue into student console 12and to the switches labeled A2, B2, C2 and D2 which correspond infunction to switches A1, B1, C1 and D1.

The leads 28 through 31 then continue from console 12 to student console13 where they connect, respectively, to. switches labeled A3, B3, C3 andD3. The leads from these switches continue and merge at juncture 53 intoline 54. This line connects to the core of relay R1 and therethrough toground.

The normally open contact of switches A1, A2 and A3 of consoles l1, l2and 13 are all connected in series by lead 36. Likewise, the normallyopen side of switches B1, B2 and B3 are interconnected by lead 37 as areswitches C1, C2 and C3 by lead'38 and switches D1, D2 and D3 by lead 39.All of these four last mentioned leads merge at junction point 40 intoline 41 which is connected to the core of relay R2 which in turn isgrounded.

Line 27 continues from the junction of lead 28 through normally openrelay switch 32 of the relay 7 labeled R3 and through such switch to thecore of the relay labeled R1, which terminates at a common ground.

A fifth lead 33 from line 27 passes through the normally open channelswitch labeled Chof the reader and into the normally open switch M ofstudent console 11. From this last mentioned switch, lead 33 is wiredinto the core of relay R3 and to a common ground. Bypassing switch M ofconsole 11 is a pair of leads 34 which are operatively connected tonormally open relay switch 34 of relay R3.

A pair of relay switches 42 and 43 are operatively associated with relayR1 and a second pair of relay switches 44 and 45 are operativelyassociated with 'relay R2. A line 46 extends from the reader control 47of the tape reader 18'', connects switch 42 of relay R1 and switch 44 ofrelay R2 in parallel and returns to such control.

Line 48 extends from the normal switching mechanism (not shown) of theprojector 20, is connected in parallel to switches 43 and 45 and returnsto such projector.

Because of the large number off mechanisms for accomplishing the desiredend result, the reader control 47 is shown as only schematicallyconnected to the various channel switch closing means 49, 50, 51, 52 and53. As heretofore mentioned, an electrically conductive pin whichprojects through a tape opening has been found satisfactory to act as achannel switching means although an electronic sensing head, or othersimilar means, could obviously just as well be used although the costfactor involved would certainly have to be taken into consideration.

From a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2, it is obvious that the coaxial cable14 carries not only leads 28, 29, 30, 31 and 33 from the tape readersection of the chassis 18 but also the continuation of lead 33 from themanual switch to the relay section as well as lines 34 thereto.

Cable 15 extending between console 11 and console 12 carries leads 28through 31 therebetween as well as leads 36 through 39 while cable 16carries the same leads between console 12 and console 13.

Cable 17 carries lines 54 and 41, which represents merged leads 28through 31 and 36 through 39 respectively, from console 13 to the relaysection 18' of chassis 18. Cable 19, of course, carries the pair oflines 48 between relay section 18 and projector 20. Since the relaysection 18' and the reader section 18" are both mounted on a singlechassis 18, the interconnection therebetween would be internal as seenin FIG. 1 and would be wired as disclosed in FIG. 2.

Prior to describing the device of the present invention in actualoperation, it should be noted that the switches associated with relay R1are time delay switches and are preferably of the adjustable type with arange of from 0 to 10 seconds. Relay R2 is also a time delay relaypreferably with an adjustable setting from 1 to seconds. R3, on theother hand, is a non-delay or instant reaction relay.

In discussing the programmed learning device of the present invention,it must be understood that the reader, when energized from either relayR1 or relay R2, will move ahead one block of subject matter or frame andstop as will the projector. Neither of these units is designed toreactivate and move to the next frame or position without the occurrenceof another specified condition.

In setting up the learning device of the present invention, each frameor position in the projector would be synchronized with a frame orposition on the reader. Thus you would have one or more frames in bothunits for text material, a question with up to four multiple choiceanswers, and separate feedback for each answer that might be chosen.

An example of the order of the material described for the projectoralone would be: slide or frame 1, text material; slide 2, text material;slide 3, question; slide 4, feedback directed to answer A; slide 5,feedback directed to answer B; slide 6, feedback directed to answer D;slide 7, feedback directed to answer C.

In the example given, there are, of course, two text slides. There can,of course, be no text slides or as many as desired. The feedback slideswill be noted as arranged A, B, D, C, with the assumption being that Cis the correct answer. If instead A was the correct answer, the rankingof slides 4 through 7 would be B, C, D and A. If on the other hand, Bwas the correct answer, the slide order would be A, C, D, B.

that channel 1 controls the input to answer switches A for all consoles,channel 2 controls the input to answer switches B, channel 3 controlsthe input to answer switches C, channel 4 controls the input to answerswitches D, and channel 5 controls the input to manual switch M.

Using an extension of the example given, wtih an assumed correct answerof C, the following synchronization between projector and reader wouldbe in evidence: Channel 5, slide or channel 0, blank material; channel5, slide 1, text material; channel 5, slide 2, text material; channel 5,slide 3, question; channel 1, slide 4, feedback A; channel 2, slide 5,feedback B; channel 4, slide 6, feedback D; channel 5, slide 7, feedbackC.

As heretofore noted, the device of the present invention operates inboth manual and automatic modes. Using the last example given, themanual mode is operative through slide 3 and becomes operative again onslide 7. This manual mode is necessary so that the material on theseslides may be viewed as long as desired by the students. Relative to thecircuit diagram, the manual mode operates through relay R3 and thenrelay R1. in this particular example, the automatic mode is operative onslides 4, 5 and 6 with the time delay of either relay R1 or relay R2controlling the automatic time delay depending upon whether one of theparallel switches leading from that particular channel hasbeen thrown ornot. Thus incorrect solutions indicated will receive a predeterminedlength of feedback time, within allowable limits of from 1 to 180seconds being available. The feedback to each student with an incorrectsolution explains the logic of the chosen answer and what steps shouldbe taken to avoid this type of error in the future. Reinforcement of thestudent or students choosing the correct solution and a presentation ofthe logic thereof is fedback not only to these students but also to thestudents having chosen the incorrect solution or solutions. After thecorrect answer is given, the system returns to manual mode so that whenthe last feedback has been digested, the manual switch may be used tomove the device to the next topic.

From the above, it should be evident that the relays R1, and R2 serve tolimit the movement of the reader and projector from one frame to thenext whereas the normally open contacts associated with the fivechannels serve to allow selective review of the condition of one set ofswitches at a time. I

The following description, by occurrence and function, will exemplifyoperational use of the wrong answer discriminator of the presentinvention.

Student, S1 passes the manual switch on student console 11 whichactivates relay R3 immediately which in turn activates relay R1 after aslight time delay. Projector 21 is thus caused to move to slide 1 whichis projected onto screen 21 and simultaneously reader 18" moves to frame1 and closes the contacts of channel 5.

Upon mutual agreement between students S1, S2 and S3, S1 closes manualswitch Magain on his console to activate relay R3 and in turn relay R1.The projector and reader both move one frame and the reader again closesthe contacts of channel 5.

The students'then choose their answers, as for example, S1 might chooseanswer switch C on his console 1 1, S2 might choose answer switch A onhis console 12, and student S3 might choose answer switch B on hisconsole 13.

After all three students have chosen their answers,

S1 again closes the manual switch M on his console to move the systemfrom manual to automatic mode.

This closing of the manual switch activates relay R3 which in turnactivates relay R1. The projector and reader move one frame which bringsup frame or slide 3. The reader closes channel 1 allowing current toflow through switches Al, A2 and A3 of consoles 11, 12 and 13,respectively. Since S2 chose the answer for switch A, he studies thefeedback given on slide 3 for the predetermined length of timecontrolled by relay R2 (40 seconds being determined as a good averagetime).

After the 40-second delay, R2 is activated. The projector and reader arethus caused to move to frame 4. The reader then senses and closeschannel 2 allowing current to flow through switches B11, B2 and B3 ofconsole 11, 12 and 13, respectively. Since S3 chose the answer B, he hasan opportunity to study the feedback given on slide 4 for thepredetermined study time controlled by the delay of relay R2.

After this time delay, R2 is activated causing the projector and readerto move to slide-frame 5. The reader senses and closes channel 4 thusallowing current to flow through switches D1, D2 and D3. Since in theexample given, neither D1, D2 nor D3 has been chosen, R1 is activatedafter a slight delay of between 1 and 10 seconds. The reason for thisdelay is, of course, to allow time for both the projector and reader tocycle and be ready for the next motivating signal.

When R1 is activated, both the projector and the reader move toslide-frame 6. The reader senses and closes channel 5. Students S1, S2and S3 then study the feedback relative to answer switch C which is thecorrect answer and which is always given last regardless of whether thecorrect answer switch was closed. Since channel 5 is manual mode, answerstudy may be for as long a period as desired.

Upon mutual agreement, S1 then presses manual switch M to move theprojector and reader to the next block of subject matter. The samefunctions are repeated as programmed, with the correct answer at alltimes coming up on the last frame of the series. I

From the foregoing, it is obvious that the present invention has theadvantage of providing an inexpensive, yet efficient, non-linearprogrammed learning device which allows multistudent participation thusrelieving boredom and creating interest. The present invention also hasthe advantage of being adaptable to various types of read-out devicesincluding slide projectors, television readers, film projectors and thelike. The programmed learning device of the present invention has theadditional advantage of being simple to construct and repair and yetfoolproof in operation.

Th present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specificways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit andessential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalencyrange of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

. What is claimed is:

l. A programmed learning device comprising: means for displaying aquestion and multiple answers to a plurality of students, one of saidanswers being correct; means for registering an answer selection fromeach of said plurality of students; means for discriminating betweenwrong answers selected and the correct answer; means controlled by saiddiscriminator to serially display feedback relative to selected wronganswers to the student group; and means controlled by said discriminatorto finally display feedback relative to the correct answer to the groupwhereby group participation can be accomplished using non-linearprogrammed learning.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the display means is a projector andscreen.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the projector is of the slide type.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the projector is of the film type.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the discriminator means is controlledby a tape reader type program control means.

6. A programmed learning device comprising: a projector means fordisplaying a question and multiple answers to a plurality of students,one of said answers being correct; means for registering an answerselection from each of said plurality of students; a tape recordercontrolled means for discriminating between wrong answers selected andthe correct answer; means controlled by said discriminator to seriallydisplay feedback relative to the selected wrong answers to the group;and means controlled by said discriminator to finally display feedbackrelative to the correct answer to said group whereby group participationcan be accomplished using non-linear programmed learning.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the projector is of the slide type.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein the projector is of the film type.

9. A learning device comprising: a visual display means; a plurality ofstudent control consoles having answer selection switches thereon; aprogrammed control means operatively connected to said switches and saiddisplay means; and discriminator means operatively connected to saidcontrol means for allowing feedback relative to selected wrong answersto be visually displayed prior to the display of feedback relative tothe correct answer whereby an efficient, non-linear programmed learningdevice is provided.

10. The learning device of claim 9 wherein the programmed control meansis a tape reader.

1. A programmed learning device comprising: means for displaying aquestion and multiple answers to a plurality of students, one of saidanswers being correct; means for registering an answer selection fromeach of said plurality of students; means for discriminating betweenwrong answers selected and the correct answer; means controlled by saiddiscriminator to serially display feedback relative to selected wronganswers to the student group; and means controlled by said discriminatorto finally display feedback relative to the correct answer to the groupwhereby group participation can be accomplished using nonlinearprogrammed learning.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the display meansis a projector and screen.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein theprojector is of the slide type.
 4. The device of claim 2 wherein theprojector is of the film type.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein thediscriminator means is controlled by a tape reader type program controlmeans.
 6. A programmed learning device comprising: a projector means fordisplaying a question and multiple answers to a plurality of students,one of said answers being correct; means for registering an answerselection from each of said plurality of students; a tape recordercontrolled means for discriminating between wrong answers selected andthe correct answer; means controlled by said discriminator to seriallydisplay feedback relative to the selected wrong answers to the group;and means controlled by said discriminator to finally display feedbackrelative to the correct answer to said group whereby group participationcan be accomplished using non-linear programmed learning.
 7. The deviceof claim 6 wherein the projector is of the slide type.
 8. The device ofclaim 6 wherein the projector is of the film type.
 9. A learning devicecomprising: a visual display means; a plurality of student controlconsoles having answer selection switches thereon; a programmed controlmeans operatively connected to said switches and said display means; anddiscriminator means operatively connected to said control means forallowing feedback relative to selected wrong answers to be visuallydisplayed prior to the display of feedback relative to the correctanswer whereby an efficient, non-linear programmed learning device isprovided.
 10. The learning device of claim 9 wherein the programmedcontrol means is a tape reader.